SIX NATIONS HOTS UP

Posted on February 16, 2012 | by Phil Vickery

Well for some of the teams it did, apart from poor old Ireland and France!

I must say I felt very angry on behalf of those fans, especially the Irish who had made the journey over and were told it was cancelled just ten minutes before kick off! Seems daft to me that they didn’t realize playing a game that late at night in minus temperatures with no under soil heating was never going to happen!

Looking back to the England v Italy game, it was heavily critised as being a bit of a dull spectacle. Lots of people have said to me they would rather see England lose as long as they play attacking, attractive rugby…hmmm can’t say I agree with that one. We sportsman are insanely competitive and surely all sport must be about winning, otherwise it loses the passion which makes it grip you. In saying that, England did struggle in Italy and did make mistakes, some of which were totally forgivable with an inexperienced team, and others that had me wincing as they involved some senior players. Plus points were again the scrum. I must say I like young Alex Corbisiero, and Dan Cole has been doing a fine job. There was a fear we would get bullied in the forwards against Italy’s big pack but that didn’t happen.

Then to Wales who faced a fired up Scotland on their own turf. Fantastic game to watch and Scotland went toe to toe looking good until their yellow cards undid them, and Wales’ superiority in the back line inflicted all sorts of damage. When Wales come to Twickenham for the next game I personally don’t think we will see too many changes to the England team. The replacements for England did have a big impact, particularly at scrum half, so that might be one. We will need big defence against Wales’ unbelievably large back line so mid field needs the likes of Brad Barritt. What I can see is perhaps Stuart Lancaster the coach bringing on someone like Tualagi and Courtney Lawes at half time to give him some attacking options, if that is what the game needs at the that point. France then have the trip up to Murrayfield which could be dangerous for them with Scotland looking very close to getting that win.

Ireland have Italy at home which should be just the game they need to get their confidence running high before facing France on the rescheduled date.

So here we are, two games in and no closer to knowing who is going to win the Six Nations. Don’t you just love it!